Page Through from Before to After
 Last week DDOT released its Southeast Blvd. Feasibility Study, in which the agency "evaluated the feasibility of transitioning a segment of the former Southeast Freeway from 11th Street to Barney Circle into an urban boulevard more consistent with the expected travel demand and the character of the adjacent neighborhood." And what does the feasibility study say? DDOT's report determines that changing the current Southeast Blvd. from the limited-access quick route between 11th Street SE and Barney Circle to a street with connections to its north and south and development along the footprint is feasible, but the transformation "would be neither inexpensive nor quick." The study then goes through the issues that make clear this would not be a snap-the-fingers-and-make-it-so proposition: *Ownership: There are two small parcels within the study area owned by the National Park Service--and we know quickly either arranging for a change in ownership or "coordinating" with NPS can go. The study refers to it as being clear "that there would be significant process requirements and challenges to disposing the NPS and incorporating them into private development." That the process to "surplus" any excess land along the footprint not needed for the road(s) itself is governed by the Federal Highway Administration would also not point to a lightning-quick resolution. * Transit Garages: The inclusion of some location that would allow for the parking of tour buses, transit buses and streetcars {cough}--a big part of DDOT's wishes for the area but something that residents are not particularly keen on--"could be provided at Southeast Boulevard that takes advantage of the location and topography of the site to minimize visual impacts to surrounding neighborhoods and so that vehicles accessing the facility would not use residential neighborhood streets." * Cost: The study's "cursory assessment" says that constructing the transportation elements of the project would cost around $120 million, with a transit garage adding about $65-70 million in costs (in 2015 dollars). This includes reconfiguring Barney Circle into an at-grade signalized traffic circle, raising Southeast Boulevard to the same level as L Street, and constructing a four-lane street that includes sidewalks, bike facilities, and traffic signals. Plus some contingency costs built in.* Schedule: The graphic at right breaks out a not-short ballpark timeline of 10 years for both the "transportation" portion of the project and the land redevelopment project. With all of that, DDOT says that the first step forward is to restart the Barney Circle and Southeast Blvd. Transportation Planning Study begun in 2013, though even that now has a road block, that this Environmental Assessment now can't be completed "until a financial plan for project implementation is identified and included in the regional Constrained Long-Range Transportation Plan (CLRP)." DDOT advises interested groups "to continue discussions with a broad spectrum of stakeholders during the EA to confirm community support for the project, engage with AWI Signatories, and evaluate project costs and funding options." This final draft was presented to ANC 6B's Transportation Committee on Jan. 6, and Capitol Hill Corner reports that DDOT's representative told the committee that there were no "fatal flaws" in any of the Office of Planning's three concepts for reimagining the road--but that it will be "up to ANC 6B to push the project forward" by requesting the environmental assessment. I am skimming it all, so if this project is of interest to you, be sure to read the feasibility report, and perhaps attend ANC 6B's meeting on Jan. 12, at which a draft letter will apparently be considered to support going ahead with the EA. You can also wander through my posts on the subject from the past few years, especially on the completion of the OP study back in July and the three general concepts advanced for how to remake this stretch of land that currently serves as such a barrier between Capitol Hill/Hill East and the Anacostia River.
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dude says: (1/11/16 7:42 AM)
Seems like an awful lot of money for what it achieves.
jdc says: (1/11/16 8:32 AM)
To me this is sort of a 'no brainer' in terms of spreading around - and linking to - the massive redevelopment going on in near SE. From the city's perspective, more development = more taxes.
202_cyclist says: (1/11/16 8:56 AM)
@jdc: Exactly right-- someone posted a comment on the Capitol Hill Corner blog estimating the expected future tax revenue of creating an entirely new neighborhood: link Additionally, there are other benefits, such as linking neighborhoods and allowing more people to live in a walkable neighborhood and near transit, including the Potomac Ave station.
monkeyrotica says: (1/11/16 10:22 AM)
More roads = more congestion. Why does this "boulevard" even exist? Instead of spending $120 mil (which will eventually bloat to $200+ mil) just sell the land, build residential/retail, and re-open the north/south streets.
conngs0 says: (1/11/16 11:01 AM)
Agree with jdc. Doesn't the status quo risk maintaining a barrier between the planned development in Hill East by Stadium Armory and the 11th Street Bridge Park and the rest of the Navy Yard area? It sure seems like this would help maximize the returns on those other investments.
jdc says: (1/11/16 12:03 PM)
My fantasy - yes, I may need help - is that the explosive growth and interest in SE, then SW, and then 'eco district' they're building around L'Enfant, will lead to financial incentives sometime in my lifetime to tunneling and locating 695/SE-SE Freeway underground. Basically, selling air rights. It's about 5 miles as configured, and I wonder if that figure could be cut down if it took a more direct route. Yes, everyone will think of the "Big Dig" mess - but, a recent piece sort of exonerated the project and I bet in another 10-20 years it will be an accepted piece of US infrastructure. Plus, the lessons learned and the advancement in drilling will make this an easier project in all likelihood.
conngs0 says: (1/11/16 2:05 PM)
Even in the case of the Big Dig, I don't think it's the project itself that needs exoneration - it's the execution of the project. One of the reasons why the people of Boston were so against hosting the Olympics was that, based on the cost overruns and delays, they had zero faith that their local government could properly execute such a huge expenditure. After all, it's not that hosting an Olympics has to cripple the local economy; it's that hosting an Olympics typical cripples the local economy because the host country/city does such a poor job of planning the games. I have a similar opinion of your fantasy regarding putting the SE Freeway underground. Would it benefit the neighborhood and the city (and commuters)? Could it be a worthwhile project? Absolutely. But you have to have faith in the execution. An even better example of this phenomenon is the Metro 2040 plan. link This would undoubtedly be fantastic for the city. It'll never happen though because the people responsible for implementing such a plan will certainly mess it up! Let's see how the Capitol Crossing project pans out. If that winds up being a success, perhaps there will be more support for significant infrastructure improvement along the lines you have in mind.
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Full Neighborhood Development Map
There's a lot more than just the projects listed here. See the complete map of completed, underway, and proposed projects all across the neighborhood.What's New This Year A quick look at what's arrived or been announced since the end of the 2018 baseball season.Food Options, Now and Coming Soon
There's now plenty of food options in the neighborhood. Click to see what's here, and what's coming.Anacostia Riverwalk
A bridge between Teague and Yards Parks is part of the planned 20-mile Anacostia Riverwalk multi-use trail along the east and west banks of the Anacostia River.Virginia Ave. Tunnel Expansion
Construction underway in 2015 to expand the 106-year-old tunnel to allow for a second track and double-height cars. Expected completion 2018. Rail and Bus Times
Get real time data for the Navy Yard subway, Circulator, Bikeshare, and bus lines, plus additional transit information.Rail and Bus Times
Get real time data for the Navy Yard subway, Circulator, Bikeshare, and bus lines, plus additional transit information.Canal Park
Three-block park on the site of the old Washington Canal. Construction begun in spring 2011, opened Nov. 16, 2012.Nationals Park
21-acre site, 41,000-seat ballpark, construction begun May 2006, Opening Day March 30, 2008.Washington Navy Yard
Headquarters of the Naval District Washington, established in 1799.Yards Park
5.5-acre park on the banks of the Anacostia. First phase completed September 2010.Van Ness Elementary School
DC Public School, closed in 2006, but reopening in stages beginning in 2015.Agora/Whole Foods
336-unit apartment building at 800 New Jersey Ave., SE. Construction begun June 2014, move-ins underway early 2018. Whole Foods expected to open in late 2018.New Douglass Bridge
Construction underway in early 2018 on the replacement for the current South Capitol Street Bridge. Completion expected in 2021.1221 Van
290-unit residential building with 26,000 sf retail. Underway late 2015, completed early 2018.NAB HQ/Avidian
New headquarters for National Association of Broadcasters, along with a 163-unit condo building. Construction underway early 2017.Yards/Parcel O Residential Projects
The Bower, a 138-unit condo building by PN Hoffman, and The Guild, a 190-unit rental building by Forest City on the southeast corner of 4th and Tingey. Underway fall 2016, delivery 2018.New DC Water HQ
A wrap-around six-story addition to the existing O Street Pumping Station. Construction underway in 2016, with completion in 2018.The Harlow/Square 769N Apts
Mixed-income rental building with 176 units, including 36 public housing units. Underway early 2017, delivery 2019.West Half Residential
420-unit project with 65,000 sf retail. Construction underway spring 2017.Novel South Capitol/2 I St.
530ish-unit apartment building in two phases, on old McDonald's site. Construction underway early 2017, completed summer 2019.1250 Half/Envy
310 rental units at 1250, 123 condos at Envy, 60,000 square feet of retail. Underway spring 2017.Parc Riverside Phase II
314ish-unit residential building at 1010 Half St., SE, by Toll Bros. Construction underway summer 2017.99 M Street
A 224,000-square-foot office building by Skanska for the corner of 1st and M. Underway fall 2015, substantially complete summer 2018. Circa and an unnamed sibling restaurant announced tenants.The Garrett
375-unit rental building at 2nd and I with 13,000 sq ft retail. Construction underway late fall 2017.Yards/The Estate Apts. and Thompson Hotel
270-unit rental building and 227-room Thompson Hotel, with 20,000 sq ft retail total. Construction underway fall 2017.Meridian on First
275-unit residential building, by Paradigm. Construction underway early 2018.The Maren/71 Potomac
264-unit residential building with 12,500 sq ft retail, underway spring 2018. Phase 2 of RiverFront on the Anacostia development.DC Crossing/Square 696
Block bought in 2016 by Tishman Speyer, with plans for 800 apartment units and 44,000 square feet of retail in two phases. Digging underway April 2018.One Hill South Phase 2
300ish-unit unnamed sibling building at South Capitol and I. Work underway summer 2018.New DDOT HQ/250 M
New headquarters for the District Department of Transportation. Underway early 2019.37 L Street Condos
11-story, 74-unit condo building west of Half St. Underway early 2019.CSX East Residential/Hotel
225ish-unit AC Marriott and two residential buildings planned. Digging underway late summer 2019.1000 South Capitol Residential
224-unit apartment building by Lerner. Underway fall 2019.Capper Seniors 2.0
Reconstruction of the 160-unit building for low-income seniors that was destroyed by fire in 2018.Chemonics HQ
New 285,000-sq-ft office building with 14,000 sq ft of retail. Expected delivery 2021.
Records added or updated recently displayed here; click the "archive" links to see additional detail and older records. All data from DC Government databases and RSS feeds. JDLand takes no responsibility for errors, omissions, etc. (read CapStat disclaimer). Data is retrieved daily.
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600 B/O L ST SE 
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| THEFT
Theft 2nd Degree (theft From Building)
| 08/10/20
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| 800 B/O POTOMAC AVE SE
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| THEFT FROM AUTO
Theft (theft From Motor Vehicle)
| 08/09/20
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| 1000 B/O L ST SE
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| THEFT FROM AUTO
Theft (theft From Motor Vehicle)
| 08/04/20
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| 1000 B/O 8TH ST SE
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| THEFT FROM AUTO
Theft (theft From Motor Vehicle)
| 08/02/20
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| 1100 B/O 2ND PLACE SE
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| BURGLARY
Burglary Two
| 07/31/20
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| 100 B/O I ST SE
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| THEFT
Theft First Degree (all Other Larceny)
| 07/30/20
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| 100 B/O O ST SE
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| ASSAULT WITH A DANGEROUS WEAPON
| 07/28/20
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| 400 B/O M ST SE
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| THEFT
Shoplifting
| 07/24/20
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| 100 B/O M ST SE
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| BURGLARY
Burglary Two
| 07/20/20
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| UNIT B/O N ST SE
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| ASSAULT WITH A DANGEROUS WEAPON
| 07/20/20
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| 1200 B/O HALF ST SE
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| THEFT
Theft 2nd Degree (theft From Building)
| 07/13/20
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Recent Issued Building Permits
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1300 4TH ST SE 1001
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07/22/20
LA FAMOSA / null
E2009613 /
SUPPLEMENTAL
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1300 4TH ST SE 130
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07/24/20
TOM AN / KIMOY LALLEMENT
A2005055 /
CONSTRUCTION
New sail shade awning at exterior private space of La Famosa restaurant (Permit #TL2000028)
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1150 5TH ST SE
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07/16/20
DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA / null
P2007453 /
SUPPLEMENTAL
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07/22/20
DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA / null
E2009571 /
SUPPLEMENTAL
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08/04/20
DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA / KEVIN HURLEY
SB2000405 /
CONSTRUCTION
We propose to perform 2 soil borings to maximum depths up to 50 feet below grade, or refusal. The borings will be advanced with a geotechnical drill rig, which utilizes 3.25" hollow stem augers. Upon completion, the borings will be backfilled with bentonite slurry, in general accordance with DOEE requirements.
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10 I ST SE
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07/27/20
CAPITOL HILL RACQUET CLUB / ANDREW ARNOLD; NA
SB2000413 /
CONSTRUCTION
We propose drilling two (2), six-inch diameter geotechnical test borings (B-7 and B-8) using the hollow stem auger method to evaluate the subsurface conditions. The proposed test boring depths will be 85 feet below the existing ground surface. If a confining unit is encountered, outer casing will be installed which will extend 10 feet into the top of the confining unit or to the top of bedrock. Up...
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150 I ST SE
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07/30/20
SQUARE 737 LLC C/O WC SMITH / RUSSELL COX
B2007765 /
CONSTRUCTION
Amendment to B1709058. Decrease number of dwelling units to 373 units. Construction of 2 spas. Electrical, Mechanical, Plumbing changes.
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423 L ST SE
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07/24/20
JOHN P LANG / MARGO RICKS
SOL2001665 /
CONSTRUCTION
To install 4.56 kW size of solar panels with a system height of 1.1 feet on roof of building.
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250 M ST SE
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07/21/20
SQUARE 769 LLC / null
E2009527 /
SUPPLEMENTAL
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08/04/20
SQUARE 769 LLC / BRIAN C STROTT; SQUARE 769 LLC
B1915078 /
CONSTRUCTION
Revisions to permit B1813732. Changes to the roof area. Adding mechanical equipment to roof.
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300 M ST SE
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07/27/20
FEDERAL CENTER LP / null
E2009758 /
SUPPLEMENTAL
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861 NEW JERSEY AVE SE
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07/23/20
GREYSTAR GP LLC / null
M2003144 /
SUPPLEMENTAL
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1105 NEW JERSEY AVE SE
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07/23/20
GALLERY CAPITAL RIVERFRONT PROPERTY LLC / null
E2009620 /
SUPPLEMENTAL
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1200 NEW JERSEY AVE SE 20590
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08/05/20
UNITED STATES OF AMERICA / null
E2010040 /
SUPPLEMENTAL
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1275 NEW JERSEY AVE SE
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08/05/20
US GOVERNMENT / null
E2010054 /
SUPPLEMENTAL
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08/07/20
FC FACILITATOR LLC FOREST CITY REALTY TRUST / null
P2007950 /
SUPPLEMENTAL
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79 POTOMAC AVE SE 505
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07/15/20
null / NA NA NA
EHOP20993669 /
HOME OCCUPATION
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AH = After Hours; B = Alteration & Repair; D = Demolition; E = Electrical; FB = Boiler; M = Mechanical; P = Plumbing and Gas; PC = Post Card; R = Raze; SG = Sign; TL = Tenant Layout; TN = Tent; RW = Retaining Wall;
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